Pros and Cons of Being an Independent Contractor

Pros and Cons of Being an Independent ContractorPros and Cons of Being an Independent ContractorIf youre the adventurous, entrepreneurial type, then working as an independent contractor might be a greatcareer choice for you. Independent contractors are sometimes called ICs, consultants, freelancers, free agents or just contractors. Regardless of the label, all are self-employed for tax purposes in the U.S. and are essentially the same in practice.? Regarding taxes, the Internal Revenue Service has only two distinctions independent contractor or employee. More about that follows. Pros As an independent contractor, you are your own boss. Thats the main reason why people decide to set up their own shop. If youre a contractor, you might work shoulder-to-shoulder with employees of the company you work with. But unterstellung folks are not your supervisors, they are your clients. As such, they may not direct your work as they might direct that of an employee. Your clients can, however, require certain results in return for the fees they pay you. But you get to decide when, where and how the work is done. According to the Common Law Rules enforced by the IRS and the Fair Labor Standards Act issued by the Department of Labor, the difference between an employee and acontractor largely hinges on the degree of control and independence granted by the client. Independent contractors typically provide their own tools. If your clients provide the tools, then one of the enforcing agencies might penalize them for misclassifying you as an independent contractor when you should have been classified as an employee. As an independent contractor, youll usually make more money than if you were an employee. Companies are willing to pay more for independent contractors because they dont have the enter into expensive, long-term commitments or pay any extras, such as health benefits, unemployment compensation, and Social Security and Medicare taxes. Independent contractors also may d educt more business expenses than employees typically can claim. Unlike employees, independent contractors are required to withhold theirown federal, state, and local taxes. Cons In most cases, contractors arent eligible for state unemployment benefits, because theyre self-employed, and they must fund their own retirement accounts. Health and liability insurance rates for self-employed individuals are usually higher than the group rates employers can secure for their employees. Some clients may require you to carry liability insurance. Companies generally cant reimburse independent contractors for out-of-pocket expenses, so you should factor in those expenses when determining your rates. Because of the issues that can arise around whether a worker is an employee or a contractor, some skittish employers wont hire contractors who use their social security numbers as taxpayer IDs. If an employer reports the earnings of a contractor under that individuals social security number, it can trigger a red flag to the IRS, which might undertake an audit under the suspicion that the employer is misclassifying employees as independent contractors to avoid withholding taxes and providing benefits. To beipass the problem, obtain a federal employer identification number (EIN) and submit that in place of your social security number. A state taxpayer ID (if required) can save you money by allowing you to buy items at wholesale and free of sales tax, provided you intend to resell the merchandise. Your local Small Business Administration Office can help you get started with this and other business matters too, for free. Tips for Being a Successful Independent Contractor To help you network, gain expertise and receive discounts on insurance and other self-employment expenses, consider joining professional organizations such as the National Association for the Self-Employed. Youll also find a bevy of resources at the U.S. Small Business Administrations website. When youre starting out, apply to agencies that can connect you with contract work. Remember, though, that these agencies may withhold taxes and collect other deductions from your paychecks, depending on your working relationship with the firm. Agencies may also charge you acommission, which will reduce your compensation (although you can deduct it on your tax returns). Setting up your own business as an independent contractor requires an investment of time and energy, but the risk can pay off handsomely. For those with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit, the rewards will be more than just monetary.